Minimal invasive surgery?

[maras1]

My surgeon said he would probably do a minimal invasive surgery on me. I have read that with regular surgery, your breastbone is 50% healed in 4 weeks and 90% in 6 weeks. What can I expect with the recovery after minimal imvasive surgery? Also, how long does it take for the heart itself to heal from a valve replacement?

 

[Phyllis]

The recovery period is the same- 6 weeks to heal the breastbone. Dick never had any pain from the incision area and the scar is only about 3 inches long.

 

[cp172]

Hi Maras1,

I had minimal invasive surgery in Feb. The healing process for me was fairly quick. I have a desk job and was back at work in 3 weeks part time and full time in 4 weeks. I found that in the afternoon I would tire.While I was sore the pain and discomfort was much less than I expected. I made sure that I did as much walking as my body would allow which I think helped my recovery.

I was told your heart does not heal until around 6 months.Best of luck to you. Keep your questions coming. Getting answers really helped me.

 

[ctyguy]

I had a mini-avr and I was back to work at my desk job at 5 weeks. I was supposed to hold off swinging a golf club till 12 weeks but I started again at 8 or 9 with minimal discomfort. Any kind of bench press with weights was every bit of 12 weeks before I didn't feel it. Im nearly 6 months now and can do everything I did prior in regards to using my chest.